Eye implant approved by Scottish Medicines Consortium

Ozurdex has been accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium for use within the NHS in Scotland.

Allergan announced the approval of the dexamethasone intravitreal implant for patients with macula oedema following central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

In a trial of 1000 patients Ozurdex was proven to increase vision by 15 letters or more on an eye chart in 29% of macular oedema patients. Some patients experienced these improvements for up to six months.

Patients in England and Wales already had access to Ozurdex, meaning the decision is important for Scottish macula oedema sufferers. Consultant ophthalmologist surgeon, Forth Valley NHS Trust, Mr Tariq Saboor, said, "The availability of a licensed, effective and now SMC accepted treatment is a significant step forward for management of RVO patients in Scotland. Having access to a treatment that tackles the significant inflammation and swelling resulting from blocked retinal veins is good news for my patients. The fact that the treatment only needs to be administered up to every 6 months is also a significant advantage.”